In Exile, Dfrost 2013, Metal Morphosis, and more..

NEWS

In Exile

( Work on display)

Apparao Galleries, Chennai presents a solo show of eminent mixed media artist and print maker Paula Sengupta. The quest for roots, reconnection to childhood and the trauma of dislocation are some of the main elements that make up for good art. This pain lends an air of nostalgia to canvases, becoming more pronounced with the redrawing of geographical borders during conflict and political aggression. Paula connects to the Tibetan border and their families through her art in this particular exhibition. 

Since 1959, an exodus continues from Tibet and resistance continues within it. In the initial years, it was mostly the monks, the aristocrats and the middle classes, and their loyal servants that resisted Sinicization and became victims of Chinese persecution – escaping became their only recourse. However, this meant the simultaneous loss of the Tibetan way of life, which is today their main point of resistance.

‘Into Exile’ reflects upon this deeply problematic situation, especially the eradication and sacrifice of habitats, lifestyles and cultures. Her work draws heavily on the indigenous craft and textile traditions of Tibet.

The show is on view till 1st December 2013.

Metal Morphosis

Maya Art Space presents the first solo sculpture show by Samir Aich titled, ‘Metal morphosis’. Counted amongst the seasoned artists, Samir has held numerous solo shows and group shows across cities like Chennai, Mumbai etc.

With a career spanning across three decades, Samir has worked in different artistic styles like oil on canvas, acrylic and mixed media. He has also experimented with different concepts, structured and ideologies.

The show is on view from 30th November to 15th December 2013

Textural Inspiration

(Work by Amol Pawar)

This November, witness the eclectic works of artist Amol Shivajirao Pawar displayed at Malaka Spice Art space, Pune. An alumnus of Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalay Pune, Amol loves to experiment with different mediums of art. 

His favorite subjects of art ranges from nature, life and music. A master of textures who emphasises on using earthy tones of colours and calligraphy along with elements of nature, he draws inspiration from the real happenings of life.

The show is on view till 30th November 2013.

Dfrost 2013

National Institute of Design, Bangalore presents their annual design festival, ‘Dfrost 2013’. The festival provides an opportunity to harness an understanding of design and its importance in today’s world.  

The series of events combines fun, creativity and awareness of design oriented activities. It aims to highlight the impact of design on society and people.  The festival provides a wonderful opportunity to foster the understanding of design and its relevance in today’s world. It is a platform for students from different disciplines to showcase their potentials.

The festival is on view from 7th December to 8th December 2013.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

A Sutra of Expression

Amit Dutt on his love for lines, and the evocation of loss through art

( work by Amit Dutt)

As one walked into the gallery at Rabindra Bhavan, Mandi House, one was greeted by a surprise. Expecting canvas renditions of the painter’s expression, one found instead a myriad range of media through which it articulated itself: rice-paper, metal sheets, record disks and even musical instruments! Where they depicted use of charcoal, acrylics as well as oils, Amit Dutt, the artist himself admitted that it is the lines that make up the heart of his work.

“I love my lines...when I have charcoal in my hand, they come out with a force and fluidity from within me, and other mediums like oils, that at times require one to wait for a layer to dry before continuing composition, sometimes feel like hindrances to this force,” he said, attributing this as the reason for the multiple, interwoven outlines all his figures have in each of his works. “I just enjoy letting my hand run free with the charcoal, each line looks a thing of beauty to me, and all the outlines together make my figures what they are. Each artist has a signature through which their work can be known, whether painter or even writer, and this is mine.”

( Amit Dutt)

Most of the works on display at ‘Art Sutra’, Dutt’s recently held solo exhibition, are part of his ‘Nostalgia’ series. Each work makes use of signifiers in the form of an activity like kite-flying or hop-scotch, and objects such as tops or marbles, and what is signified is a childhood lost to the ceaseless onward march of time (also appearing as a recurring pendulum in many of the works). The artist wants each work to speak to each individual spectator. His works are his voice, he said, and do not set out to covey a fixed, intended meaning. It was also for this reason that he believes pure abstract art is the highest form of art. His own work is simultaneously realistic and abstract, but the intention behind each creation is purely one of letting a moment of inspiration articulate itself; the surface, medium, form, colour and technique follow on instinct rather than deliberation. “I do not want anyone to look for fixed meanings in my work. Each work can mean differently to different individuals, by what they see in it rather than anything I have intended for them to see. The best kind of response to my art is, for me, one of enjoying the visual and letting it speak to you at an emotional level without a conscious attempt to decode,” he said.

( Report by Nandini D Tripathy for The Hindu)